The eyes of god are in front of my 4Runner

[ZandT4R]

Hey guys,

Just thought I'd share my new light setup on my rig. Since I don't have an aftermarket bumper or light bar and I didn't want to drill the stock bumper I decided to get creative and make a bracket to fix the lights to the factory grille. I bought some cheap Hella 500's at Walmart as templates with the intention of getting a better light but once I got my bracket rigged up I decided to keep the Hellas and convert them to HID (the factory halogen bulbs were worthless). I just followed a few threads I found Googling "Hella 500 HID conversion" I am thrilled with how they came out and OMG are they bright. The lights to wiggle a bit on the grille but not enough to really be annoying or distracting. It likely will wobble worse off road but the purpose of my lights were for dark paved roads. Here are my results:

What do y'all think?

 

[riceandpho]

not bad at all, very good so far, paint all the brackets and bolts black and then use wire loom to cover up the wires and itll look better. also add a lock washer on the back of those washer to keep it more secure.

 

[swise]

cool

 

[ZandT4R]

not bad at all, very good so far, paint all the brackets and bolts black and then use wire loom to cover up the wires and itll look better. also add a lock washer on the back of those washer to keep it more secure.

Yes the black paint idea is on my list. Ideally I would like to rubberize the brackets somehow, gotta look around and see what is out there. As for the wire loom, those pictures under the hood are with the halogen bulbs so all that was temporary. With the HID kit I made it much cleaner, I actually put long runs of heat shrink on all the wires and ran it down between the hood and the heat shield/sound dampner (not sure what exacly that is) attached to the hood. I will try to post some pictures later.

 

[rook]

Hey guys,

The lights to wiggle a bit on the grille but not enough to really be annoying or distracting. It likely will wobble worse off road but the purpose of my lights were for dark paved roads. Here are my results:

What do y'all think?

Nice light output.

If you search the site, some have mounted the lights through the oem bumper and that will eliminate the wobble.

 

[ZandT4R]

Nice light output.

If you search the site, some have mounted the lights through the oem bumper and that will eliminate the wobble.

Ya, I didn't want to drill the bumper...

 

[riceandpho]

u can also use heat shrink, and cover up the brackets u made and reinstall, thats like rubberizing right? but looks good so far.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Many hardware stores have this: Plasti Dip Protective Coating Products | Synthetic Rubber Dip Coating

I have used it and IMHO it would be perfect for that application.

I like your "out of the box" thinking for the mount. I guess the only downside to your mounting is taking some extra care when shutting the hood, no biggie and well worth not putting holes in the bumper:bigok: Nice color T4R BTW

 

[ZandT4R]

Many hardware stores have this: Plasti Dip Protective Coating Products | Synthetic Rubber Dip Coating

I have used it and IMHO it would be perfect for that application.

I like your "out of the box" thinking for the mount. I guess the only downside to your mounting is taking some extra care when shutting the hood, no biggie and well worth not putting holes in the bumper:bigok: Nice color T4R BTW

Great idea, that is exactly what I want. I will check that out for sure! And yes I have been more careful shutting the hood, going for the latch then push it closed as opposed dropping it and letting it slam down. Hopefully this setup will hold up I have been keeping a close eye on that grill, no signs of wear so far...